I am building my first AR, and as I am in California, the build I am planning to go with cannot have a flash suppressor amongst other features deemed “evil” by the CA DOJ. I’d really like something like a Noveske Firepig, where most of the sound and blast is directed away from the shooter. Problem is, the KX3 is also a flash suppressor. Is there any other muzzle device out there that acts in the same manner, but is not a flash suppressor?
If your looking for a similar design, the pws cqb comp and troy claymore brake would be the closest. However I would suggest a Battlecomp, pws fsc556, or rainier arms xtc.
Does the California DOJ ban the use of the Pig? It doesn’t matter what we tell you here, what matters what the DOJ defines as acceptable and unacceptable muzzle devices
what about this??
It does not ban the use of the Pig specifically, but in the configuration I am building, I cannot use a muzzle device that is designed to reduce flash. That means even a standard A2 flash hider is illegal on that build. In the other legal configuration we are allowed, I can use a flash suppressor, but must use a non-detachable magazine through the use of a bullet button. Compensators, however, are allowed on any build. This is why I’ve been looking hard at the Battlecomp, but I’m looking for a design that throws the blast downrange.
Contact the DOJ and find out of the Pig is specifically banned and ask for a letter on their ruling
If its designed to reduce any flash its a no-go. You can contact DOJ, but most likely you won’t get any good answers.
I think the flash suppressor law is ridiculous as I have never heard of a flash suppressor killing people.
Edit. You using a hammer head grip?
Um, unless your lower receiver is listed in Appendix A of the Roberti-Roos AW list or Appendix B of SB-23, and you have a bullet button and magazines that hold no more than 10-rds, you can have a flash hider on your weapon.
EDIT: Tell us more about your planned configuration, please. It sounds like you’re doing something already that could be problematic.
True, but he’s probably going the other way in making a CA-legal rifle.
As a fellow resident of California, I can attest that OP is building a featureless rifle. I know, as I’m currently building one and I have gone through this debate myself. 
The way it works is that the rifle is configured in that it does not have any of the so called “evil” features listed by the CA DOJ. These features include a pistol grip, foregrip, flash hider, bayonet lug, and collapsible/folding stock.
By doing this, the rifle avoids the Assault Weapon designation putting in the same league as any other long gun. Inclusion of any of these features automatically makes it an AW and as such, a no-go.
It’s a good route though, as with this you can use pre-ban 10+ mags if you have them in addition to not requiring installation of a bullet button.
Best option in my, not so unbiased, point of view for actual HD use. :happy:
Here’s an example (not mine):
Yup, going featureless. That means no folding/collapsing stock, no vertical foregrip, no pistol grip, no flash suppressor. No grenade launchers either, but that’s a moot point for me (sure would be bitchin’ if I could get one though!). But, I get to have detachable magazines the way it was meant to be used and not use the bullet button. Seems to me that makes a whole lot more sense for HD/SD. It’s just that damned no flash suppressor part that’s killing me. I think the Troy Claymore brake might be more of what I’m looking for. Any other suggestions for a muzzle device that’s designed to throw blast and sound downrange, away from the shooter?
Yeah, pack up and move.
A decent alternative would be a Levang compensator. They are cheap and direct most of the blast and sound down range. Reported to work best on the SBR types, I also found it decent on the 16". Same observed muzzle rise as the A2.
Source: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=5594/Product/Levang-Linear-Compensator
Everything makes sense now…
:rolleyes:
What’s the bat wing behind the grip? I’ve never seen such a device. How do you manipulate/access the various controls?
On the other, packing up and leaving, it’s hard to realistically do that. It’s all about priorities. For me, it was an easy decision, I left but was quite a bit younger and single at the time. Over the years I’ve spoke with many people that live there and many in various gunshops when out there. I’m surprised by the sheer amount of people that are violating the CA laws both knowingly and unknowingly.
Sounds like typical Square Peg in Round Hole Syndrome !
Have you considered moving?
:meeting:
Guys, I appreciate your input, but I’m asking for alternatives to a flash hider, not where to move to. If someone told you to pack up and move right now, how easy would that be?
That Levang comp looks pretty interesting, it’s cheap enough to give it a try. That bat wing you see on the grip is a kydex fin that turns the pistol grip into a non-pistol grip. Pistol grips and thumbhole stocks aren’t allowed on featureless builds, so people comply by putting one of those fins on and basically make it a rifle stock/grip. It’s actually not that hard to use, you just need an ambi safety.
Since California law is so ridiculous and vague, if someone is going to run featureless, ie drop mags without a bullet button, I suggest you peruse the following between legal comps vs illegal FH.
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=14Sc8MNP9AO6JgHxcnqm5oR45LDLIhpqeBHsCN8-K4XU&pli=1
You can always take the risk of say using a what you think is not a flash hider on a featureless set up but ask yourself do you want to risk $10 to $15k in legal fees.
The levang and claymore seem like pretty safe bets.
Take the info for what you feel it is worth.
Personally my last build was very simple.Trying for a Featureless Build is all well and good, until someone decides to question what you have and they want to argue your answers. To me the least amount of attention I can call to myself the better. If you really have your heart set on doing this best wishes. 